Softball season’s end leaves coach unsatisfied

Before Tuesday's opening round 4A regional softball game against Mill Valley, De Soto coach Kelly Dennis frankly told her players that if they didn't score five runs, they wouldn't have much of a chance to win the game.

Not only did the Wildcats not score five runs, they were shut out 10-0 by their district rival, the Jaguars.

The Wildcat offense was so anemic that freshman Lauren Hampton slapped De Soto's only hit of the game in the sixth inning. Jare Mori earned a walk, giving the Wildcats two base runners on the night.

De Soto's problems began in the first two innings when Wildcat Starter, Emily Baker, gave up four hits and six runs. Three errors were committed by her defense during that stretch.

Allie Heinen came in and pitched the final four innings of relief and didn't fare much better.

"Our pitchers threw well," Dennis said. "It was a lack of run production that really hurt us. When you can't score runs, you put pressure on your defense. You start pressing and feel there is no room to make mistakes."

Mill Valley took a 1-0 lead after an inning of play and added five more runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Heinen shut them out from the third through the fifth innings. The Jaguars added four more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

For the game, Baker allowed six runs, four hits (including two doubles) and a walk. She also struck out a batter.

Heinen gave up four hits through the first three innings she pitched before the four-run sixth inning. She also allowed eight hits and struck out two batters.

The Wildcats finished the season with a 6-15 mark, but Dennis doesn't like to measure success with how many wins a team produces.

"We were competitive in over half of our games," Dennis said. "A lot of that was due to Emily's pitching. She kept us in half of our games. If we could have produced more runs for her, it's hard telling how well she would have done."

The Wildcats did make huge strides this season, but Dennis isn't satisfied with where her team is just yet.

"We're satisfied but not satisfied, if that makes any sense," Dennis said. "We know we need to get much better and know we can get better. We want to make even more headway next season."